Tundra As Work Truck

3877 Views 27 Replies 13 Participants Last post by brow, Jun 9, 2007

vwtreg

Discussion Starter · Mar 26, 2007

I'm interested in knowing how many Tundra owner's here use their Tundra for work, i.e. actually use it everyday as part of their job. I sell environmental treatment systems and I have a utility infrastructure construction company, so I use my vehicle in towing/hauling demo equipment/construction equipment, daily driving on interstate (not unusual for me to drive 600 miles in a day for ONE meeting). I tow frequently in the 5-8K category and will approach the 10K category probably numerous times a year. Tow percentage is probably 35% of 20K+ miles a year. I'm on rough project jobsites and need to go off-road to get to some of these. Truck would be put to heavy use.

Right now I have not been looking at nothing less than HD series trucks from one American manufacturer but the Tundra seems overbuilt for its category as many of you have noticed. That intrigues me. The problem I have now is that the HD truck I'm looking at has more payload/tow capacity, slightly bigger engine displacement (but lower HP & TQ) , and more room for approx. the same sticker price.

I am aware the previous generation tundras would not tow that much in comparison to the 2007 model.

Historically the above service description has been the realm of HD designed trucks from the Big 3 (or 2.5 now), but the Tundra seems to be encroaching on this territory. Axles, springs, suspensions, engines, trannys are the critical items here.

Finally, I'm agnostic when it comes to vehicle brands. I'll drive brand "X" if I think it will do what I want and that my money will be well spent on it.

Toyota is making a big push on the Tundra as a rugged, heavy duty working vehicle. All you have to do is look at the brochure and the Tundra Mini-Site, its nearly all pointed toward work related scenarios.

I'm sure many of you have thoughts on the (new) Tundra's ability to deliver under this job description day in/out over 5-7 years?

I've driven one twice and liked it both times so I that's not an issue....:tu:

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1 - 20 of 28 Posts

brow

· #2 · Mar 26, 2007

There is another big post on this, can't find it but there was lots of info

mtnrunner

· #3 · Mar 26, 2007

brow said:
There is another big post on this, can't find it but there was lots of info

A lot of posts about Tundra as a work truck actually and posts that don't start out that way but end up talking about a Tundra as a work truck.

I don't haul nearly that often but I do treat my vehicles harshly which is why I've been stuck on the Toyota brand as its demonstrated reliability and when I've had issues Toyota stands behind their product.

If you end up with a Tundra that doesn't work out for you, you can feel comforted in knowing the resale will be the best you can hope for in a used truck

brow

· #4 · Mar 26, 2007

mtnrunner said:
A lot of posts about Tundra as a work truck actually and posts that don't start out that way but end up talking about a Tundra as a work truck.

I don't haul nearly that often but I do treat my vehicles harshly which is why I've been stuck on the Toyota brand as its demonstrated reliability and when I've had issues Toyota stands behind their product.

If you end up with a Tundra that doesn't work out for you, you can feel comforted in knowing the resale will be the best you can hope for in a used truck

The post I'm referring to actually has the same title as this post, if I am not mistaken.

vwtreg

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 26, 2007

I entered "Tundra As Work Truck" for search string before posting. Came back with over 500 threads although there was one on a Year later update for the guy that had a Tundra but now had the Bowtie HD. That one has limited value since he was comparing the 1st GEN Tundra to the HD and not the 2nd GEN....

Hopefully someone will chime in because its tough to read through 500 threads & I really would prob. rather have the Tundra but do not want to buy "short".

Its got to be a really bad feeling to spend $40K and not have your needs met.

VPI

· #6 · Mar 26, 2007

I am using mine as a work truck. Pulling a 6000 lb box trailer in job sites similar to what you are in. Lots of times following nothing more than where a t-hoe has been. I do underground inspection on mainly new sewer or whatever some one wants to pay me to stick my camera down. I hae 4000 miles on it, it is scratched, muddy, and I am very happy with it. I am coming form 3/4 ton Diesel trucks this one is doing as good if not better job than the others.

vwtreg

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 26, 2007

VPI,

That's the kind of stuff I'm doing. I install it, apparently you are inspecting it.

I'm in East Tennessee, where are you at?

Right now the biggest thing I haul is a near 7,000 lbs. mini-ex or track loader. I rely on the rest of the crew to bring in the big stuff. That gets me right up to the 10,300 limit. Hence my worries on towing/hauling. Sounds like you've got the experience I'm interested in.

As we speak our 2004 F250 6.0 Powersquirt w/ Torqshift has managed to torqshift itself right into its second tranny-not to mention the host of engine issues-all before 36,000 miles The other Fords we've had have been fine but I will always explore the other options when they are available.

As you can imagine I'm avoiding the new Ford 6.4 PSD Flamethrower version. For those of you that do not know, the brand new 6.4 PSD from Ford already has a recall out w/in six weeks of launch (or so). Apparently it can get hot in the exhaust and flames may come out of the muffler. Finally, something that can scare the DMAX and Cummins boys.....

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brow

· #8 · Mar 26, 2007

vwtreg said:
As we speak our 2004 F250 6.0 Powersquirt w/ Torqshift has managed to torqshift itself right into its second tranny-not to mention the host of engine issues-all before 36,000 miles The other Fords we've had have been fine but I will always explore the other options when they are available.

As you can imagine I'm avoiding the new Ford 6.4 PSD Flamethrower version. For those of you that do not know, the brand new 6.4 PSD from Ford already has a recall out w/in six weeks of launch (or so). Apparently it can get hot in the exhaust and flames may come out of the muffler. Finally, something that can scare the DMAX and Cummins boys.....

When I decided I needed a new truck, for a VERY brief moment in time, I almost considered another Ford SD. Than I slapped myself very hard and looked at the repair bills and inconveniences over the past years. This new engine screw up just absolutely welded the coffin shut on me owning Fords, at least for a looong time. I am seriously thinking this may be the final issue that will drive ford into chapter 11. Sad to see it but they have been riding the coat tails of their heritage, etc for far too long.
Sorry to hijack the post...

VPI

· #9 · Mar 27, 2007

vwtreg said:
VPI,

That's the kind of stuff I'm doing. I install it, apparently you are inspecting it.

I'm in East Tennessee, where are you at?

Right now the biggest thing I haul is a near 7,000 lbs. mini-ex or track loader. I rely on the rest of the crew to bring in the big stuff. That gets me right up to the 10,300 limit. Hence my worries on towing/hauling. Sounds like you've got the experience I'm interested in.

As we speak our 2004 F250 6.0 Powersquirt w/ Torqshift has managed to torqshift itself right into its second tranny-not to mention the host of engine issues-all before 36,000 miles The other Fords we've had have been fine but I will always explore the other options when they are available.

As you can imagine I'm avoiding the new Ford 6.4 PSD Flamethrower version. For those of you that do not know, the brand new 6.4 PSD from Ford already has a recall out w/in six weeks of launch (or so). Apparently it can get hot in the exhaust and flames may come out of the muffler. Finally, something that can scare the DMAX and Cummins boys.....

I am in Chattanooga. I will periodically be haulling a mini t-hoe around or a JD 110 B-Hoe. I have not done this yet just my box trailer. I am looking forward to putting something heavy behind it. You will run higher rpm's than in a diesel but it will run! If you are down in this area give me a yell, we can hook up and go for aride.

jaymack

· #10 · Mar 27, 2007

Wow, its good to hear that there are still some people who actually USE a truck!

I've owned 4 new Chevrolemons, a Dodge and a Tundra. The rice burner is by far the most user friendly for working out of. The towing and handling are very pleasing. I've grossed 18-19K a couple of time so far while pulling fertilizer buggies... very surprising - handled better than either of the 3/4 ton chevy's that I had. The main complaint that I have is the thickness of the metal in the bed... very, VERY easy to dent. I'm riding on 7500mi and the inside of my bed looks like A$$. I'll eventually get a mat or spray-in liner. DONT GET SLATE METALLIC! It shows every scratch when it's clean -- I washed mine once after the snow about 6000 miles ago. I'll never do it again until I trade it in:devil:

OH yeah, the cup holders are waaay to large for my coffee cups.

If you want a vehicle that handles like a Lexus and rides like a road wagon, go with the TUNDRA!:tu:

...almost forgot, dont expect to get any better than a consistent 17-18mpg when unloaded and driving like a sane person. You would think that a little 381hp 5.7 would get atleast 40mpg... thats what the GM folks say. Dont expect to be able to tow 47,000 lbs either, you'll need a dually with an Allison or one of those new flamethrower Fords for that.

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Jumbo Jet

· #11 · Mar 27, 2007

I'm actually using mine for work and towing everyday. I tow a double axle enclosed trailer weighing in at about 3 tons. Truck pulls it fine but my only major complaint is the rear end drops when I hook up the trailer and I sometimes cant get the wheel jack to swivel up to its locked position. My last truck was an 02 2500 HD Silverado crew cab long bed and the back end didnt so much as flinch when I hooked up the trailer, even with the bed loaded. But without the trailer it rode like the tires were made of concrete. I guess thats the trade off leaving a 3/4 ton.

I may need to consider adding air bags to the rear springs.

Other than that its working great for me.

bbfirebird

· #12 · Mar 27, 2007

The only reason I would suggest an HD truck over the 07 Tundra is that you say you will tow near 10k lbs. "numerous times a year". Although the Tundra is rated at a little over 10k lbs., if you're going to be towing that fairly regularly I think you should get something with a higher tow rating. On top of that, the payload capacity in HD trucks tends to be much better than typical 1/2 ton trucks, which could come in very handy sometimes. Like you said, the Tundra is overbuilt for a 1/2 ton truck, but it's still just a 1/2 ton.

If you said you were going to tow exclusively in the 6-7k lb. range without the somewhat-frequent 10k trips, I'd say get the Tundra. As far as reliability is concerned, we can't really predict that yet. Sure, it's a Toyota, but it's a brand-new design, built in a brand new factory, and it's Toyota's first truck that has been built for towing 10k lbs., so only time will tell how reliable the truck will be when used for those purposes. Honestly I think no matter what brand you buy, you'll have your share of repairs. If you're putting that many miles on, and towing that much, it's bound to break at least a couple components before the 6-7 year timeframe you're looking at.

Good luck with whatever route you choose.

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brow

· #13 · Mar 27, 2007

Jumbo Jet said:
my only major complaint is the rear end drops when I hook up the trailer and I sometimes cant get the wheel jack to swivel up to its locked position.

would a wd hitch help?

Jumbo Jet

· #14 · Mar 27, 2007

brow said:
would a wd hitch help?

I'm going to try a shallower drop on the hitch and see what happens first. I went from a 4-5 inch drop to a 2 inch. I'll hook up tomorrow and see if that helps. Other than that I may have to add a rear leaf spring, giving me back the crappy ride of a 3/4 ton again.

pagemaster

· #15 · Mar 27, 2007

I don't think you will have any trouble if you purchase a Tundra for work. That is what the Tundra models were/are designed for. With Toyota's reliability you are far ahead of the big three. That being said, I think the new Tundra reg cab is a little too big in my opinion.

dsrtrcr01

· #16 · Mar 27, 2007

Jumbo Jet said:
I'm going to try a shallower drop on the hitch and see what happens first. I went from a 4-5 inch drop to a 2 inch. I'll hook up tomorrow and see if that helps. Other than that I may have to add a rear leaf spring, giving me back the crappy ride of a 3/4 ton again.

I use a 2 inch drop but flipped and it works perfectly. Puts the trailer right where it would be IF I was using the ball mount on the rear bumper which I believe is the height the trailer should be at. Granted I am using a Gen 1 Tundra but thought I would suggest it.

tahoepd

· #17 · Mar 27, 2007

JumboJet,
You may want to look into a airbag overload system in lieu of replacement of the springs. Just a thought.
B.T.W. sweet looking truck, very nicely detailed.

brow

· #18 · Mar 27, 2007

Jumbo Jet said:
I'm going to try a shallower drop on the hitch and see what happens first. I went from a 4-5 inch drop to a 2 inch. I'll hook up tomorrow and see if that helps. Other than that I may have to add a rear leaf spring, giving me back the crappy ride of a 3/4 ton again.

The truck itself will still drop though if you change the hitch drop itself...
I added a leaf in my prev Tacoma and did not like it. Back end sat way higher and as you mention rode rough.
I guess if you're going to do anything airbags would be the best way to go.

jan kohlmann

· #19 · Mar 27, 2007

I have firestone airbags on my 01 Tundra and they work great to keep the truck level when I pull a 6000lbs horse trailer with horses. Best 250 bucks I spent on the truck and they work well when I have 25 bales of hay in the bed. I was hoping the 07 Tundra would have a suspension that would not need them. Oh well, no rush to buy an 07 when my 01 is set up and works fine.

TSK

· #20 · Mar 27, 2007

We delivered to our first oilfield company today. They are using it as sort of a "pilot" to test the feasibility of switching over all their Ford half-tons.

I've also got a commercial construction company with 8 on order and dozens of quotes out to the oil patch.

This thing will make a damn fine work truck.

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